11)  Lenny Kravitz – Raise Vibration

A good friend of mine has always referred to Lenny Kravitz as the last remaining true rock star, and she’s right on the money. Sure, the days of Are You Gonna Go My Way and Fly Away may be gone, but the sexiness that made him in icon has only gotten stronger in recent years. 2014’s Strut was sensuality wrapped up in a silky red bow. Have you heard Dirty White Boots? It’s freaking dangerous. Anyway – Raise Vibration picks up and greatly improves upon where 2011’s Black And White America left off. It may be heresy to start Prince comparisons, but it’s a warranted statement. Low is a perfect first single; a late night / early morning distilled funk jam filled with yearning.

The politics and calls for unity are in full effect as well.  The war won’t stop as long as we keep dropping bombs, he preaches on Who Really Are The Monsters?

Think twice before you cast your stone at someone’s soul, he reminds on Here To Love.

Why won’t anyone listen? Is it really that hard? Kravitz doesn’t understand either. But he stakes his hope in love with album standout track Johnny Cash. It’s as vulnerable as we all want to be. He sees the world around him may be burning, and the future may seem bleak, but as Johnny would surely say to June….With you by my side, I’d have a chance.

Listen to: Low

BMG, September 7th, 2018